Container reducing mechanism with continuous jaw faces



Nov. 10, 1953 w. PECHY 2,658,549

CONTAINER REDUCING MECHANISM WITH CONTINUOUS JAW FACES Filed April 19,1951 Y 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. \r Z? MM PECHY lm Arm ATTOE/Vf 5 NOV.10, 1953 w, PECHY 2,658,549

CONTAINER REDUCING MECHANISM WITH CONTINUOUS JAW FACES Filed April 19,1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. W/AL/AM PECf/Y Nov. 10, 1953 w. PECHYCONTAINER REDUCING MECHANISM WITH CONTINUOUS JAW FACES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed April 19, 1951 W/AL/AM P5639) BY M mew? Nov. 10, 1953 w. PECHY 72,658,549

INVENTOR. W/LL/AM P1509) BY MAM omwa Nov. 10, 1953 w. PECHY 2,658,549

CONTAINER REDUCING MECHANISM WITH CONTINUOUS JAW FACES Filed April 19,1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 101 54 my [I .26 j y; Z 107 U. l I 77 x INVENTOR.J7 W 4 W/Zl/AM PECl/Y Nov. 10, 1953 w. PECHY 2,658,549

CONTAINER REDUCING MECHANISM WITH CONTINUOUS JAW FACES Filed April 19,1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. W/ZZ/AM PEG/l) lrraewsas Patented Nov.10, 1953 CONTAINER REDUCING MECHANISM WITH CONTINUOUS JAW FACES WilliamPechy, Belmar, N. J assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New Jersey Application April 19, 1951, Serial No. 221,863

10 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a mechanism for shaping tubulararticles such as can or container bodies and has particular reference tothe shaping, reducing or reforming of the periphery of tubular articles,especially the forming of necked-in sections or beads in square orrectangular can bodies.

In the forming, for example, of necked-in sections or internal beads incontainer bodies, a reduction of the cross-sectional dimensions takesplace with a corresponding change in the circumference or perimeter of abody. This creates surplus or excess material which in square orrectangular bodies usually is crowded into the corners or cornerportions of the bodies. The reduction or reforming of the bodies usuallyis effected by contractible and expansible jaws which present a brokenor interrupted surface while closing. Hence the material of the bodiessometimes buckles at the broken surface and becomes pinched between theends of the closing jaws and is often fractured, thereby rendering thefinished body unfit for use.

The instant invention contemplates overcoming these difficulties byproviding jaws having continuity of engagement with the work therebyavoiding pinching the material of the work such as container bodies.

An object of the invention is the provision of a container body shapingmechanism of the multiple jaw type wherein the shape and arrangement ofthe jaws is such as to provide at all times a continuous, smooth formingsurface so that while the jaws are opening and closing there are noopenings or breaks between the jaws which would admit and pinch any ofthe material of the body.

Another object is the provision of such a mechanism wherein a separateor additional forming operation is effected on the corners of the bodiesso that the material of the bodies at the corners is definitely guidedinto proper position toproduce a desired reformed corner structure.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear end elevation of a mechanism embodying the instantinvention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, withparts broken away and parts shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantially along thebroken line 33 in Fig. 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged exploded view of the parts comprising one of theforming jaws used in the mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an assembled view of the exploded parts shown in Fig. 4; withone of the hidden jaw parts shown in dot and dash lines;

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged horizontal sectional views takensubstantially along the lines 66, 'l--'! in Fig. 2, with parts brokenaway;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fibre container body as an example ofan article upon which a necking-in or beading operation is to beperformed;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail of a portion of the containerbody shown in Fig. 8, the view showing an internal bead formed in thebody by way of an example of a forming operation; and

Figs. 10 and 11 are schematic views showing a corner portion of acontainer body and its relation to forming jaws used in the mechanism,the two views showing the movable jaws in different positions as anincident to performing a forming operation.

As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the invention the drawingsillustrate a mechanism for forming an internal bead A (Fig. 9) in afibre tubular container body B (Fig. 8) of the type commonly used forsquare milk containers and disclosed in United States Patent 2,524,766,issued October 10, 1950, to J. P. Carroll on Container. The mechanism ispart of a more elaborate machine used for assembling end members to thecontainer bodies and is disclosed in United States Patent 2,200,276,issued May 14, 1940, to J. M. Hothersall et al., on Can End AssemblingMachine.

The bead forming or necking-in operation is performed preferably by astationary forming head 2| (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) into which one end of acontainer body B is inserted, in any suitable manner, such as by themechanism disclosed in the above mentioned Hothersall patent, for theperformance of the reforming operation. The forming head 2! preferablyis a circular member mounted on a vertical flange 22 (Fig. 3) of ahorizontally disposed bearing block 23 (see also Fig. 1). The bearingblock 23 is secured to a cam housing 24 mounted on a bed 25 fastened toa frame 26 which may be the frame of a more elaborate machine such asthat disclosed in the above mentioned Hothersall patent.

The forming head 2| is provided with a plurality of expansible internalbacking-up jaws 3| (Figs. 2 and 3), external forming jaws 32, andexternal side corner forming jaws 33 arranged around the axis of thehead for effecting the container body reforming operation. The backingupjaws 3-5 are located for expansion within a container body B insertedinto the head, for backing up the interior surface of the body duringthe reforming operation. For this purpose, the backing-up jaws 3| aredisposed against and slide on the outer face of the head. For a squarecontainer body there are four of the backing-up jaws 3| arrangedsymmetrically around the axis of. thehead for expansion into the cornersof the body. Diagonally disposed keys 35 (Fig. 3) extending from theaxis of the head toward the corners of the container guide the jawsduring expansion and contraction.

Adjacent their outer edges, the jaws 3| are i rmed with clearancegrooves or recesses 35 (Fig. 3) to receive the material of the containerbody and to assist in shaping the'material pressed therein during theforming operation as will he more fully explained herein-after. Adjacenttheir inner ends the jaws 3| are held together yieldably by a continuouscoiled spring 31 which extends around the outer peripheries of the fourjaws. A centering ring 38 secured to the head and surrounding andoverlapping the inner ends of the jaws holds them in position againstthe head. This ring 38 is formed with an outwardly ex-tending flange 38of square contour and of dimensions to fit within a container body Breceived in the head to centralize the body relative to the aws.

Expansion of the backing-up jaws 3| is effected preferably by a taperedwedge 4| (Fig. 3) which is disposed at the axis of the head 2| and whichengages against similarly tapered inner faces 42 of the jaws. The wedge4| is secured to one end of an actuating rod 43 mounted forreciprocation in the bearing block 23. .A key 44 secured to the hearingblock 23 extends through an opening 45 in the block and projects into adeep keyway 46 in the actuating rod 43 to retain the rod in positionagainst rotation in the bearing block.

The actuating rod 43 is reciprocated in the bearing block 23 by a camroller 48 which is carried on the rod and which projects through anopening 49 in the bottom of the block. The roller 48 operates in a camgroove of a barrel cam 52 located in the cam housing 24. The cam isfreely mounted for rotation on a short shaft 53- carried in bosses 54formed in the ends of the housing 24. The cam is rotated through itscycle of operation by a gear 55 which is formed on the cam and whichmeshes with a driving pinion 56 keyed to a main driving shaft 5'!journaled in bearings 58 formed in the bed 25. The shaft 51 may berotated in any suitable manner.

Hence as the drive shaft 51 rotates, it rotates the gear 56, gear 55 andcam 52 and thus through the cam groove 5| reciprocates the actuating rodand its attached wedge 4| through a jaw expanding stroke (toward theright as viewed in Fig. 3) and thence through a return stroke (towardthe left as viewed in Fig. 3) for each full revolution of the cam. Onthe expanding stroke of the actuating rod 43 the wedge 4| pushes againstthe tapered faces 42 of the backing-up jaws 3i and thus expands the jawsto their full extent, within a container body B inserted into the head,so that the jaws engage the inner surfaces of the walls of the body andthus support these walls. The jaws remain in this expanded positionuntil the reforming operation is completed on the body. Upon completionof this operation the wedge 4| is withdrawn by the return stroke of theactuating rod 43 and the. spring 31 thereupon contracts the backing-upjaws into their original position to permit removal of the reformedcontainer body B from the head 2|.

The external side forming jaws 32 which perform the reforming of thecontainer body side walls, are arranged in a square around the internalbacking-up jaws 3| in radially spaced relation thereto. There arefour ofthese forming jaws 32, one for each side of the container body as shownin Fig. 2. Each forming jaw 32 (Figs. 2, 4, 5, l0 and 11) preferably isformed as a rectangular member or plate 60 provided with a dove-tailshaped projecting portion 6| (Fig. 4) having a straight forming edge 62and preferably two 45 degree angle tapered edges 63. The tapered edges63 terminate at short straight and parallel stop edges 64.. For thepurpose of forming the bead A (Fig. 9) in the container body .13, thestraight forming edge (52 is. formed with a projecting bead (5'! of athickness and depth corresponding to the dimensions of the head A to beproduced in the container .body B. The bead 62' extends the full lengthof the forming edge 62 and continues beyond this edge to provide at itsends a continuation of the tapered edges 63 to preserve the full contourof the dove-tail structure.

Each of the side forming jaws 32 is carried in a horizontal position ina U-shaped slide member 1!, having a pair of inwardly extending spacedand parallel legs 12 (Fig, 4). For this purpose the rectangular plateportion 55 of the jaw is disposed in a horizontal seat or slot 13 formedin and extending across the inner ends of the legs 12 of the U-shapedslide member 7|. Pins I4 extending through tight fitting holes 15 in thelegs 12 and in the plate portion 59 of the jaw 32 hold the jaw in placeand provide for ready removal of the jaw for replacement or substitutionif required. The dove-tail structure of the jaw projects forwardly orbeyond the slide H as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5.

There are four slide members 1|, one for each side of the squarecontainer body B and they are disposed in slideways 11 (Figs. 2, 6 and'7) formed in the forming head 2| and extending radially from the axisof the head. The slides are dis posed at right angles to each other, andare also located at right angles to the flat sides of a container body Binserted in the head. Gibs 78 retain the slides H in their slideways 11.These gibs are seated flush with the outer face of the head, in recessesIS in the head and in grooves 80 in the tops of the slides.

The slides II are reciprocated simultaneously toward and away from theaxis of the forming head 2| by cam rollers 82 (see Figs. 2, 3, and 6)carried on pins 83 secured in bosses 84 which project from the slides 1|into clearance openings 85 in the back of the forming head 2|. The camrollers 82 operate in a cam groove 86 of a ring cam 81 disposed androtating in a wide groove 88 formed in the back of the head concentricwith the axis of the head. The ring cam 81 is retained in the headgroove 88 by a ring gib 89 secured to the head.

' The ring cam 81 is rotated in its head groove 88 by a ring gear 9|which is secured to the back of the cam. This gear meshes with and isrotated by a pinion 92 formed integrally with the gear 56 and is thusrotated by the drive shaft 51 to effect operation of the ring cam 81 intimed relation to the reciprocation of the wedge actuating rod 43. Thusthe wedge 4| and the slides II are operated in synchronism to efiect aproperly timed relation between the operation of the backing-up jaws 3|and the forming jaws 32.

Hence as the ring cam 81 rotates in the forming head 2| in time with thereciprocation of the wedge actuating rod 43, it moves all of the slidesII simultaneously toward the axis of the head and thus forces theforming jaws 32 against the outside of the container body B inserted inthe head as shown in Fig. 10. This action of the forming jaws pressesthe forming beads 31 on the edges E32 of the jaws, into the body sidewalls and thus forces the body side walls inwardly into the clearancerecesses 36 in the expanded backing-up jaws 3| with the result that theinternal bead A is formed in the walls of the body. In forming thisbead, the outer shoulder of the recess 35 in the backing-up jaws 3| andthe outer edge of the centering ring 38, provide confining guide membersspaced apart the desired width of the bead A and thus confine thematerial of the body wall to shape the bead A to the contour of theforming bead 61.

During this bead forming operation, the outer wall of the container bodyB adjacent the bead being formed is held in a slip grip to provide justsuflicient tension on the body material to produce a properly formedbead A. This slip grip is provided by external pressure jaws 95 (Figs.2, 3, 4, 5 and which are yieldably mounted in the slides H. There aretwo pressure jaws 95 for each forming jaw 32 and they are formed on apressure slide 36 which is dis posed in the space between the two leg I2of the slide 1|. Tongues 91 (see Figs. 4 and '7) formed on the bottom ofthe pressure slide 36 engage and operate in runways 98 in the legs I2 ofthe slide II to provide for longitudinal sliding movement of thepressure slide relative to the slide TI.

The jaw end of the pressure slide 96 is provided with a transverseclearance slot 99 for the forming jaw 32. This slot sets off thepressure jaws 95 as two spaced and parallel jaws with the forming jaw 32interposed between them as best shown in Figs. 3 and 5. jaws 35 arestraight and of a length which extends the full width of the side of thecontainer body B. The ends of each of said pressure jaws are beveled asillustrated so as to provide stop faces thereon for abutting engagementwith cooperating stop faces on the ends of adjacent pressure jaws whenthe jaws are in closed position and thus provide stops for limiting theinward travel of the jaws toward the axis of the forming head 2| (Fig.10). When the four sets of pressure jaws 35 are in end-to-end engagementthey form a square of substantially the same size as the container bodyB so that they can hold the body walls against the inner backing-up jaws3| in a slip grip without deforming the body. 7

The pressure jaws 95 are maintained under spring pressure to yieldablyhold them in extended position relative to the slides 'II with thepressure jaws just beyond the forming jaw 32 when the slides II areretracted from the axis of the forming head 2| so that the pressure jawswill engage the container body slightly in advance of the forming jaws32. For this purpose a compression spring |0| is interposed between theThese pressure outer end of the pressure slide 36 and the adjacentportion of the slide 1|. A key I02 secured in the top of the pressureslide 96 limits the travel of the pressure slide relative to the slideII and holds the two slides together as a unitary structure. This key isdisposed transversely of the pressure slide with its ends extendingbeyond the slide and operating in travel restricting notches I03 formedin the top of the slide 1 I.

The corner forming jaws 33 which shape the corner portions of the bead Abeing formed in the container body B, are located between adjacent pairsof the side forming jaws 32 and are disposed at an angle of 45 degreesto the latter for action against the corners of a container body Breceived in the forming head 2|. Each of the corner jaws 33 is formed onthe inner end of a shank I05 (Figs. 2 and 3) disposed in a slideway I06formed in the forming head 2| and retained against displacement by a topplate I01 which covers the shank and is secured to the head. Acompression spring E38 interposed between the outer end of the shank andthe adjacent end of the slideway maintains the corner jaws underpressure and urges them inwardly toward the axis of the head.

The corner forming jaws 33 preferably are of substantially triangularconfiguration and each jaw is provided with a straight edge I I (Figs.2, 3, 10 and 11) which is held by its spring I08 in engagement with thetwo adjacent tapered edges 63 of the two adjacent side forming jaws 32.Thus the straight edge or surface I I I of the corner jaws 33 provides a45 degree, angularly disposed continuation of the forming edges 6'! ofthe side forming the container body B to perform the heading operation,the corner jaws 33 follow inwardly with them and thus keep the formingedges of the jaws continuous.

During this inward travel of the corner form ing jaws 33, theirrespective faces H5 press the material of the container body wallinwardly in time with the bead forming operations of the forming jaws 32and thus produce the four corner portions of the bead simultaneouslywith the formation of the straight portions of the bead. This forming ofthe corners in the body wall requires a crowding inwardly ofexcessrnaterial present at the corner of the body and to facilitate thiscrowding action and to definitely guide the excess material into aneatly formed and well balanced corner structure, the straight edge I ofthe corner jaws are provided with a material guiding and reforming notchIE2 (Figs. 10 and 11) which is disposed in alignment with the axis ofthe head 2| and the corner of a body 13 received in the head. At thecompletion of the corner forming operation, the notches H2 partiallysurround the corners of the bead as best shown in Fig. 10 and thuscompress the body material against the corners of the inner backing-upjaws 3| to produce the desired corner structure as outlined above.

At the completion of the bead forming operation, the corner jaws 33interlock with the forming jaws 32 to stop any further inward travel ofthe jaws so as to prevent distortionof the bead or the container body B.For this purpose, the outer ends of the triangular shaped corner jaws33, adjacent the ends of the straight forming edge I, are formed withstop bosses H4 which jam against the inner edges of the plate mem bers60 of the forming jaws 32 and thus clamp all of the external jawstogether so that they are prevented from effecting any further inwardtravel. This interlocking of the jaws terminates the bead formingoperation and insures of the stopping of the jaws in a predeterminedposition relative to the container body centralizing or centering ring38 with the result that the bead A formed in the container body B is ofa uniform depth throughout its entire extent.

Upon retraction of the forming jaws-32 to per mit removal of the beadedcontainer body, the jaws 32 push the corner jaws outwardly against theforce of their springs E98, always maintaining a continuous andunbroken. forming surface between the forming jaws and the corner jaws.

It is to be understood that the dimension and shape of the bead E1 andforming edge E2 of the forming jaws 32 and of the straight edge andreforming notch H2 of the corner jaws 33 may be varied to perform anumber of different beading, shaping or necking-in operations.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe inv-ention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for reforming the periphery of rectangular tubulararticles without undue pinching of the material of the articles, comprisng in combination a set of expansible internal backin up jaws, means forexpanding said internal jaws H ternal jaws, said side forming jawshaving forming faces extending along the sides of a said articlesupported by said internal jaws, external corner forming jaws disposed.between adjacent ends of adjoining side forming jaws and adjacent thecorners of said article, said corner forming jaws having faces forreforming the corner portions of said article, means for moving saidside and corner forming jaws toward said internal jaws and against theside walls of said article for reforming said walls including the cornerportions thereof, said corner jaw faces providing with said side jawforming faces an uninterrupted surface completely surrounding saidarticle to prevent portions of the article from being pinched during thereforming operation.

2. A mechanism for reforming the periphery of rectangular tubulararticles without undue pinching of the material of the articles,comprising in combination a set of expansible internal backing? up jaws,means for expanding said internal jaws into the corner portions of asaid article to backup and support the corners and the adjacent sidewalls of a said article, external side forming jaws disposed adjacentand surrounding said internal jaws, said side forming jaws havingforming faces extending along the sides of a said article sup-v portedby said internal jaws, pressure jaws disposed adjacent said side formingjaws and extending along the sides of said supported article, means foryieldably pressing said pressure jaws toward said internal and externaljaws and against the external side wall surfaces of said article forholding said side walls in a slip grip during the reforming operation,external corner forming jaws disposed between adjacent ends of adjoiningside forming jaws and adjacent the corners of said article, said cornerforming jaws having forming faces for reforming the corner portions ofsaid article, and means for moving said side and corner forming jawstoward said internal jaws and against the side walls of said article forreforming said walls including the corner portions thereof.

3. A mechanism for reforming the periphery of rectangular tubulararticles without undue pinching of the material of the articles,comprising in combination a set of expansible internal backing-up jaws,means for expanding said internal jaws into the corner portions of asaid article to back-up and support the corners and the adjacent sidewalls of a said article, external side forming jaws disposed adjacentand surrounding said internal jaws, said side forming jaws havingforming faces extending along the sides of a said article supported bysaid internal jaws, pressure jaws disposed adjacent said forming jawsand extending along the sides of said supported article, means foryieldably pressing said pressure jaws toward said internal jaws andagainst the side walls of said article for holding said side walls in aslip grip during the reforming operation by said side forming jaws,external corner forming jaws disposed between adjacent ends of adjoiningside forming jaws and adjacent the corners of said article, said cornerforming jaws having faces thereon for reforming the corner portions ofsaid article, said corner jaw faces providing with said side jaw formingfaces an uninterrupted surface completely surrounding said article toprevent the material of the article from being pinched during thereforming operation, and means for moving said side and corner formingjaws toward said internal jaws and against the side walls of saidarticle for reforming said walls including the corner portions thereof.

4. A mechanism for reforming the periphery of rectangular tubulararticles without undue pinching of the material of the articles,comprising in combination a set of expansible internal backing-up jaws,means for expanding said internal jaws into the corner portions of asaid article to back-up and support the corners and the adjacent sidewalls of a said article, external side forming jaws disposed adjacentand surrounding said internal jaws, said side forming jaws havingforming faces extending along the sides of a said article supported bysaid internal jaws, pressure jaws disposed adjacent said side formingjaws and extending along the sides of said supported article, means foryieldably pressing said pressure jaws toward said internal jaws andagainst the side walls of said article for holding said side walls in aslip grip during the reforming operation, stop faces formed on saidpressure jaws, adjacent stop faces on adjoining pressure jaws engagingin abutting relation to limit the inward travel of said pressure jaws tocontrol the slip grip of said jaws on said article, external cornerforming jaws disposed between adjacent ends of adjoining side formingjaws and adjacent the corners of said article, said corner forming jawshaving forming faces thereon for reforming the corner portions of saidarticle, and means for moving said side and corner forming jaws towardsaid internal jaws and against the side walls of said article forreforming said walls including the corner portions thereof.

5. A mechanism for reforming the periphery of rectangular tubulararticles without undue pinching of the material of the articles,comprising in combination a set of expansible internal backing-up jaws,means for expanding said internal jaws into the corner portions of asaid article to back-up and support the corners and the adjacent sidewalls of a said article, external side forming jaws disposed adjacentand surrounding said internal jaws, said side forming jaws havingforming faces extending along the sides of a said article supported bysaid internal jaws, external corner forming jaws disposed betweenadjacent ends of adjoining side forming jaws adjacent the corners ofsaid artiole, said corner forming jaws having forming faces thereon forreforming the corner portions of said article, means for maintainingsaid corner jaws in engagement with said side forming jaws, said cornerjaw forming faces providing with said side jaw forming faces anuninterrupted surface completely surrounding said article to prevent thematerial of the article from being pinched during the reformingoperation, and means for moving said side and corner forming jaws towardsaid internal jaws and against the side walls of said article forreforming said walls including the corner portions thereof.

6. A mechanism for reforming the periphery of rectangular tubulararticles without undue pinching of the material of the articles,comprising in combination a set of expansible internal backing-up jaws,means for expanding said internal jaws into the corner portions of asaid article to back-up and support the corners and the adjacent sidewalls of a said article, external side forming jaws disposed adjacentand surrounding said internal jaws, said side forming jaws havingforming faces extending along the sides of a said article supported bysaid internal jaws, external corner forming jaws disposed betweenadjacent ends of adjoining side forming jaws adjacent the corners ofsaid article, said corner forming jaws having forming faces thereon forreforming the corner portions of said article, the face of each cornerjaw having a notch disposed therein in alignment with the corners ofsaid supported article for surrounding and shaping the adjacent cornerportion of said article, said corner jaw forming faces constituting withsaid side jaw forming faces an uninterrupted surface completelysurrounding said article to prevent the material of the article frombeing pinched during the reforming operation and means for moving saidside and corner forming jaws toward said internal jaws and against theside walls of said article for reforming said walls including the cornerportions thereof.

7. A mechanism for reforming the periphery of rectangular tubulararticles without undue pinching of the material of the articles,comprising in combination a set of expansible internal backing-up jaws,means for expanding said internal jaws into the corner portions of asaid article to back-up and support the corners and the adjacent sidewalls of a said article, external side forming jaws disposed adjacentand surrounding said internal jaws, said side forming jaws havingforming faces extending along the sides of a said article supported bysaid internal jaws, external corner forming jaws disposed betweenadjacent ends of adjoining side forming jaws adjacent the corners ofsaid article, said corner forming jaws having faces for reforming thecorner portions of said article, said side and corner jaw faces togetherconstituting an uninterrupted surface completely surrounding saidarticle to prevent the material of the article from being pinched duringthe reforming operation, said side and corner forming jaws havingcooperating interengageabie stop means thereon for limiting the inwardtravel of said side and corner forming jaws to control 5' e reforming ofthe periphery of said article, and means for moving said side and cornerjaws toward said internal jaws and against the side walls of saidarticle for reforming said walls including the corner portions thereof.

8. A mechanism for reforming the periphery of rectangular tubulararticles without undue pinching of the material of the articles,comprising in combination a set of expansible internal backing-up jaws,means for expanding said internal jaws into the corner portions of asaid article to back-up and support the corners and the adjacent sidewalls of a said article, external side forming jaws disposed adjacentand surrounding said internal jaws, said side forming jaws havingforming faces extending along the sides of a said article supported bysaid internal jaws, said side forming jaws also having outwardlyextending tapered sides, external corner forming jaws disposed betweenadjacent ends of adjoining side forming jaws and adjacent the corners ofsaid article and engaging said corner forming jaws sliding on thetapered sides of said side forming jaws during movement of said jaws,said corner jaws having faces thereon for reforming the corner portionsof said article, said side and corner jaw faces together constituting anuninterrupted surface completely surrounding said article to prevent thematerial of the article from being pinched during the reformingoperation, pressure means for maintaining said corner jaws in engagementwith the tapered sides of said side forming jaws, and means for movingsaid side and corner forming jaws toward said internal jaws and againstthe side walls of said article for reforming said walls including thecorner portions thereof.

9. A mechanism for reforming the periphery of rectangular tubulararticles without undue pinching of the material of the articles,comprising in combination a head member, a set of expansible internalbacking-up jaws mounted on said head member disposed around an axis ofsaid member, means for expanding said internal jaws into the cornerportions of a said article to back-up and support the corners and theadjacent side walls of a said article supported by said internal jaws, aplurality of slideways on said head member extending radially from itsaxis and disposed one adjacent each side of the article, a forming slidemember disposed in each slideway, an external side forming jaw carriedby each of said slide members, said side forming jaws having formingfaces thereon extending along the sides of said supported article, apressure member slideably disposed adjacent each 11 side forming slidemember, yieldable means interposed between said pressure and formingslide members for effecting movement of said slide members in unison,corner slideways in said head member extending radially from its axisbetween said forming slideways and aligning with the corners of saidsupported article, external corner forming jaws having shanks disposedin said corner slideways, pressure means adjacent said shanks forpressing said corner jaws inwardly against adjacent pairs of said sideforming jaws to provide unitary movement of said side and corner jaws,said corner jaws having faces for reforming the corner portions of saidarticle, said corner jaw faces constituting with said side jaws formingfaces an uninterrupted surface completely surrounding said article toprevent the material of the article from being pinched during thereforming operation, and means for moving said slides and said side andcorner forming jaws toward the axis of said head and against the sidewalls of said supported article for reforming said walls including thecorner portions thereof.

10. A mechanism for forming an internal bead in the periphery of arectangular tubular container body without undue pinching of thematerial of the body, comprising in combination a head member having acentrally located axis, a centralizing ring mounted on said head at itsaxis and having a contour for supporting and centralizing a containerbody inserted into said head, the outer edge of said centralizing ringdefining a wall of a bead forming recess, a set of expansible internalbacking-up jaws mounted on said head member around its axis and adjacentsaid centralizing ring, said jaws having a peripheral clearance recesshaving a wall defining with the outer edge of said centralizing ring aspace of a width equal to the inside width of said bead, means forexpanding said internal jaws into the corner portions of a said articleto back-up and support the corners and the adjacent side walls of a bodysupported on said ring, external forming jaws disposed adjacent andsurrounding said internal jaws, said forming jaws having forming facesextending along the sides of a said body supported by said ring, meansfor moving said forming jaws toward said internal jaws and against theside walls of said body for pressing said side walls into the clearancespace between said ring and the peripheral recess wall of said internaljaws to form said bead in said body.

WILLIAM PECHY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,823,047 Hothersall Sept. 15, 1931 2,101,888 Ambrosins Dec.14, 1937 2,200,276 Hothersall et a1. May 14, 1940 2,313,748 HothersallMar. 16, 1943

